The over-reliance on symptom scales in Parkinson’s disease research complicates the interpretation of trial results for patients and clinicians. Symptom scales, such as the UPDRS III and PDQ-39, may show statistical significance but not necessarily clinical relevance. To address this issue, researchers should prioritize hard outcomes like mortality, serious adverse events, hospital admissions, and falls in clinical trials. These outcomes are objective, measurable, and easier to interpret for patients and clinicians. By incorporating hard outcomes as primary measures, researchers can provide more meaningful evidence to guide treatment decisions and ensure the best outcomes for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
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We need to rethink outcomes in Parkinson’s disease research
